With Silverado Engine, 2023 Chevy Colorado Remains Most Powerful Midsize Truck
The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado is a brand-new midsize pickup truck. If you're thinking, "well, that's obvious," you're right. But we do point it out because, when Chevy resurrected the previously compact Colorado as a midsize truck for 2015, it introduced a not-quite-as-new rig, a modified version of a truck it had been selling for years in global markets such as Thailand and Brazil.
Alas, with a Silverado-derived frame, American-market-specific powertrains and cabin appointments, the Colorado was hardly some cobbled-together beast. The outgoing pickup is one of the best midsize pickups out there—to be accurate, it is the best, despite its age. Snatching an existing truck from Thailand proved to be such a savvy move that Ford basically did the same thing when it brought back the once-compact Ranger from the dead as a larger midsize truck—and Colorado competitor—for 2019. Given how the old Colorado was in some ways already several years old when it landed stateside eight years ago, the 2023 Colorado's ground-up newness, therefore, is one of its biggest standout features.
New Is as New Does
Just looking at the new Colorado, the styling clearly benefited from this redesign. Where the old Colorado was soft-edged and fairly generic-looking, in keeping with the more budget-conscious global model, the new truck adopts a bold, assertive new look that positively screams "America, truck yeah!"
Chevy moved the front axle forward, lengthening the wheelbase 3.1 inches in the process and shortening the front overhang. The net effect is a longer, more horizontal hood and improved approach angles for the nose, a boon off-road. The designers capitalized on this blocky new shape with a Silverado-like mug with slim headlights and bold inserts that give the impression of a full-width, full-height grille yawning from the bumper to the hood. (Also like on the Silverado, that mug is slightly different on nearly every trim level.) Along the body sides, there is a deeper channel cut into the door skins, which help visually puff out the squared-off fender bulges front and rear.
Another big change? The previous-generation Colorado's entry-level extended-cab body style was pitched in the dustbin. You can now only purchase the Colorado as a four-door crew cab with a short bed (5-foot, 2-inch bed). Chevy says this move simplifies things on its manufacturing end, but primarily gets in line with the configuration that attracted the most buyer interest on the last Colorado.
One Little Engine that Can
Also simplifying the lineup is the 2023 Colorado's move to a single engine choice. A 2.7-liter turbo I-4 engine replaces the old Colorado's entry-level 2.5-liter I-4 (which was limited to base Work Truck models anyway), 3.6-liter V-6, and 2.8-liter turbodiesel I-4 options. This engine isn't entirely new; it was introduced a few years ago on the larger Silverado 1500, and strategy-wise, it is comparable to the Ford Ranger's single, lineup-wide 2.3-liter turbo I-4 engine.
Unlike the Ranger's four-cylinder, the Colorado's is available in three states of tune, offering up at least some choice. Entry-level Colorado Work Truck and LT models make 237 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque. Optional on those Colorados and standard on the Z71 and Trail Boss models is a 310-hp, 390-lb-ft version. And limited to the range-topping Colorado ZR2 (which we've covered in depth here), the ultimate off-road iteration of the new truck, is a 310-hp, 430-lb-ft 2.7-liter I-4. Chevy says that, for the most part, the power differences are achieved via tuning of the computers, though the lowest-output version has some minor hardware differences. Every Colorado mates its 2.7-liter I-4 to an updated eight-speed automatic transmission.
Fuel economy estimates for the new engine are forthcoming, but the power story—both compared to the old Colorado and its primary competitors—is interesting. With 310 hp in top guise, the Colorado is the most powerful midsize pickup you can buy. Granted, the old V-6 held the same title (in both the Colorado and its GMC-badged twin, the Canyon), with 308 hp; the now-discontinued diesel engine produced a mighty 369 lb-ft of torque, but that figure's easily eclipsed by the midrange 2.7-liter I-4. Even the new base models generate nearly as much torque than the old V-6, albeit at a higher rpm (5,600 vs. 4,000). The higher-output 2.7s deliver their peak torque at just 3,000 rpm.
The 2.7-liter turbo is a truck engine through and through, having been designed from the outset for duty in the full-size Silverado (and playing an unusual secondary role in the Cadillac CT4-V). In the smaller, lighter Colorado, it should prove quite burly. It also includes standard cylinder deactivation, which can shut down two cylinders under light loads. Yep, that means this'll be the only (temporarily) two-cylinder midsize pickup you can buy.
Five Grades, Mostly Off-Road
Even though the Colorado comes in Work Truck, LT, Z71, new-to-Colorado Trail Boss, and hardcore ZR2 guises, all five models share key standard features, including a new (sharp-looking) 11.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8.0-inch fully digital gauge cluster, eight bed tie downs, and a segment-exclusive electronic parking brake. Chevy says the base Work Truck and mid-grade off-road Trailboss models share a more "rugged aesthetic that is ready for work and play" inside, which we take to mean more basic, abuse-resistant, and plastickier cabin materials. The LT swaps in silver trim, plusher accents, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, while the Z71 gets a "sportier ambiance" with black and red accents and a mix of cloth and vinyl on the seats.
Again, like the newly bold exterior, the Colorado's interior goes from uninspired to competitive, with a brash, full-width dashboard panel and its round outboard air vents giving us plenty of Camaro feels. The new touchscreen perches in the middle, tombstone-style, but close to the steering wheel for what looks like a comfortable reach. There are more upmarket details throughout, though most examples—the stitching on the dashboard and padded panels around the center console—are limited to the higher trim levels. And like the Camaro, the central air vents are buried low on the dash; that pays off for the ergonomics of the climate controls, which nestle up under the touchscreen, but is probably not great for airflow above chest height for front-seat occupants. A drive mode selector lives on the left of the console on models so equipped (mostly the off-road models), pushing the shifter to the right.
Other differences between the models are clearer from the outside. The Work Truck gets an all-black-plastic face like the larger Silverado WT, 17-inch steel wheels, and that's pretty much it. LT models distinguish themselves with more streetable 17-inch wheels and tires, more body color elements on the front end, and more chrome. Finally, there are the trio of off-road versions, ranging from the relatively tame Z71 to the Trail Boss (which gets a 2.0-inch suspension lift and burlier tires) to the ZR2 (which sits 3.0 inches higher than WT/LT/Z71 models and has a wider track). The grille and bumper treatments get wilder the closer to the ZR2 you get, with the ZR2 out-crazying the rest of the lineup with flared fenders, meaty bumpers, and even an available bed-mounted roll bar with lights and beadlock-capable wheels via a special-edition Desert Boss package.
Off-road equipment varies from optional four-wheel-drive on the WT and LT to a standard limited-slip rear differential (standard on Z71 and Trail Boss) to power-locking front and rear diffs on the ZR2, which also once again rides on Multimatic DSSV spool-valve, frequency selective dampers. Those fancy shocks passively take the edge off the worst terrain with valving that slows faster inputs and handles slower amplitudes more softly. The net result is better wheel control over washboard surfaces and more controlled bump stop events. Ground clearance tops out at an outstanding 10.7 inches for the ZR2, with the Trail Boss standing 9.5 inches off the deck and the other Colorados perched at 7.9 to 8.9 inches.
If you're thinking Chevy's inclusion of three off-road models and switch to more aggro styling and the single crew-cab bodystyle signals an intent to chase after adventurous types with the new Colorado, you're right. The automaker also hopes the new truck bed's available 110-volt household outlet, motorcycle-tire indents in the forward bed wall, and newly available in-tailgate storage will appeal to weekend warrior types. That tailgate storage, in particular, carries whiffs of the Honda Ridgeline's in-bed "trunk," an underfloor, watertight cubby with a drain that doubles as a cooler. The Colorado's lockable, weathertight hollow tailgate is less useful, probably, but at 45 inches wide and 4 inches deep can still probably be stuffed with ice and some cold snacks.
If Chevy can keep the current truck's decent road manners and roomy interior in place while improving things with the new 2.7-liter engine and expanded off-road offerings, consider the 2023 Colorado a ringing success. But it'll have stiff competition: Ford is on the cusp of launching its also-all-new 2023 Ranger, and Toyota's sales-leader Tacoma is about to be redesigned, as well. We'll see how the new Colorado shakes out when it goes on sale midway through 2023.
2023 Chevrolet Colorado Specifications BASE PRICE $28,000-$50,000 (est) LAYOUT Front-engine, RWD or 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door truck ENGINE 2.7L/237-310-hp /259-430-lb-ft turbo DOHC 16-valve I-4 TRANSMISSION 8-speed auto CURB WEIGHT 4,750-5,300 lb (mfr) WHEELBASE 131.4 in L x W x H 213.0-212.7 x 84.4 x 78.8-81.9 in 0-60 MPH 7.0-7.5 sec (MT est) EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON TBD EPA RANGE, COMB TBD miles ON SALE Spring 2023 Show AllYou may also like
In what may come as a shock to many of us, Subaru has announced that the new WRX it just launched will not be getting a higher-performance WRX STI model, at least not one based on the 2022 Subaru WRX. Instead, Subaru is looking into electrification for its future performance applications, and we may not see another STI until the next generation of the WRX, which might be awhile.In its announcement, Subaru cited "the regulations and requirements for greenhouse gasses (GHG), zero emissions vehicles (ZEV), and Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ)" as the impotence for holding off on a developing a new STI right away. It appears an internal-combustion-powered STI would struggle to pass increasingly stringent regulations for sale, without first going hybrid or fully-electric. "A next generation internal combustion engine WRX STI will not be produced based upon the new WRX platform," the statement declares.The move is surprising, considering the company gave no hint that it was potentially facing delays with a next-gen STI at the reveal of the new WRX sedan last year. The STI is a popular model among enthusiasts, and sales for the outgoing WRX and STI models remained consistent for almost the last decade. It's possible this announcement is intentionally vague, and Subaru may intend to co-develop separate WRX and STI models on separate platforms to still get a new model out within a few years—technically releasing a WRX STI in the same life cycle as today's WRX, albeit with a different underlying platform and powertrain altogether.It's not clear how far along, if at all, Subaru's team has been looking into "opportunities for the next generation Subaru WRX STI, including electrification," as the announcement says. Subaru also promised to incorporate "the essence of STI" into the next-gen vehicles it actually is going to produce.If we're not getting a new STI soon, if at all, then what can we expect? The automaker just announced its new E-RA, a carbon-neutral, all-electric, all-wheel drive race car intended for production and customer racing in the upcoming FIA E-GT racing league. The company could potentially use this as a starting point for its next-gen STI, if Subaru really is starting from scratch and is free to use other platforms than the WRX's.
ford f-150-lightning Full Overview How Much Can the Ford F-150 Lightning Tow?2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Towing Capacity Standard-Range Battery Extended-Range Battery Pro XLT Lariat Platinum Show AllThe Test: Towing the LineThe Results: How Far Can a Ford F-150 Lightning Tow?2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum Towing Test Forest River R Pod RP-153 Coachmen Freedom Express 246RKS Grand Design Imagine 2910BH TRAILER WEIGHT LENGTH APPROXIMATE FRONTAL AREA MT ROAD-TRIP RANGE Show AllWhat's It Like To Tow With the Ford F-150 Lightning?Looks good! More details?
With the way that Hyundai has been going here lately, we can't help but think the future is bright thanks to its Ioniq EV brand. Its original Ioniq gave us mixed feelings but then came the Ioniq 5 and we were rather impressed with its futuristic design, multiple battery and motor configurations, and fast charging. The Ioniq 6 will have a lot to live up to and, at least on paper, looks to achieve that. Off paper, Hyundai has also elaborated on some notorious details about the Metaverse and NFTs, too.Different In AmericaThe 2024 Ioniq 6 will have a 12 inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12 inch digital cluster. Out on the far edges of the dashboard are two screens, one for each side and these will be used for the side views using digital outside rearview cameras. At least, if you're outside the U.S. Due to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), the U.S.-sold Ioniq 6s will not receive the digital mirrors and will only get a pair of boring, conventional exterior mirrors. They also come with a drag penalty that we mentioned earlier in this story, with the 0.21 Cd increasing to 0.25 Cd. We also will not get those monitors at the edges of the dashboard and the "wingtips" they are set into are shorter on the U.S. version of the Ioniq 6.What will remain are those four LEDs on the airbag of the steering wheel that serve as status indicators on the Ioniq 6, in which the four "dots" are also the same Morse code signal for the letter "H." Remember, pixels are a theme with Ioniq and the four dots on the airbag are much better looking than a large chrome "H," in our opinion.The battery sizes, by the way, are identical to those offered by the Ioniq 5, which delivers 220 miles of EPA-estimated range with its smallest 53-kWh battery; 274 miles with the 77-kWh battery and dual-motor all-wheel drive; or 303 miles with the larger battery and rear-drive. Given the 6's air-cheating shape, it likely will improve on those figures here.Same Battery, More RangeThe 77.4-kWh battery is estimated to deliver around 379 miles on a single, full charge under the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) estimate. Compared to the Ioniq 5's 315 mile WLTP range, that's an impressive improvement. Most of its range is due to its swoopy aerodynamic design and more efficient motor and controller technology. The Ioniq 6 also features flaps in its bumper that open only when cooling is needed for the battery and motor system.At the rear comes in its dual spoilers, which aren't quite used for downforce but instead help with the separation of the wind as it flows down the rear window. That separation can cause drag and the upper rear spoiler is designed to break up a vortex that's created as air separates away from the roof. The lower rear spoiler catches any leftover air and straightens it out as it leaves the vehicle. The upper spoiler also lights up with "pixels," which is a huge theme of the Ioniq brand. The good news is that, despite its dramatic departure from the roof, the view out of the rear windshield isn't too bad.While the electronics use next generation semiconductors with a more efficient design, the motor uses hairpin windings, which use a solid core wiring over the stranded wire used in typical motor windings. This solid wire allows for a high fill factor and better thermal performance, and those help lead to a more efficient use of power. Hyundai claims the Ioniq 6 with its standard range 53 kWh battery and standard 18 inch wheels (20 inch wheels are optional) with a single motor will get roughly 22.5 kWh/100 miles for the RWD model.For comparison, the Mustang Mach E RWD gets 33 kWh/100 miles and the Ioniq 5 RWD gets 31 kWh/100 miles. Unfortunately, Hyundai didn't say what the range was using the AWD version. However, the AWD dual motor version is capable of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque when both motors are combined. The Ioniq 6 hits 60 mph in 5 seconds in its highest-performance configuration, a conservative figure given how an identically powered and blockier Ioniq 5 did the deed in 4.4 in our testing.Even more impressive is the time it takes to get to 80 percent charge. From 10 percent it only takes 18 minutes to get to 80 percent because the Ioniq 6 uses an 800 volt ultra-fast 350 kW charge rate. Suddenly, range and time to charge aren't the issues they were just a few years ago. While that might worry you if you only have a 400 volt infrastructure, you won't have an issue as the car works with that system, as well.Tuning Without The Need For A Handheld TunerJust because the Ioniq 6 is being sold to us as an extremely efficient EV, it's not lacking performance. Even better, that performance can be adjusted to suit your needs using Hyundai's EV Performance Tune-up system in the Ioniq 6. With just a few button clicks (and without the need for some sort of tuner like you would on your ICE vehicle), the steering effort, motor power, accelerator sensitivity, and driveline mode can be adjusted to the liking of the driver.No, this doesn't require a special N-version of the Ioniq 6, but that's not out of the realm of possibility, according to Hyundai. You can even change how your Ioniq 6 sounds on the inside with its e-ASD. While an EV will be silent, the Electric Vehicle-Active Sound Design (e-ASD) will allow owners to tailor when its "spaceship-like" sound is piped into the cabin, and it's capable of changing based on the Ioniq 6's driving status.Of course, Over The Air (OTA) updates are common on many vehicles today and the Ioniq 6 will be no exception save for one thing. Rather than just updating firmware and navigational maps, Ioniq 6 owners will be able to add and improve functions via OTA. Hyundai says this will "provide a safer and more convenient driving experience." When you think about it, your Ioniq 6 will be as customizable and unique as the smartphone in your hands. Sure, someone else will have the same model but not everyone will have the same apps and features.Trashion DesignerTo demonstrate the capabilities of the interior, Hyundai used people connected to the Metaverse. Yeah, kind of cringy, but hear us out. While a spacious interior should be a given on a dedicated EV platform, the Ioniq 6 will look to expand interior room for all passengers in its roughly 9.68 feet long wheelbase by using innovative seating materials. A woman that was a "trashion designer," who uses recycled materials like old fishing nets and plastics to make materials for fashion design, was shown laying back using the Relaxation Comfort Seats in the first row.The use of high-density foam and high-strength steel frames means these optional Ioniq 6 front seats can be thin. According to Hyundai, these seats are 30 percent thinner than conventional passenger seats while still being comfortable to sit in and we can attest to that. The seats are very "Volvo-like," as one of our editors pointed out when they sat in the car. They also noted how the texture on the center arm rest and console are both visually interesting and soft to the touch. "It's almost as if it's fabric, but it's not, it's soft touch plastic," they noted.Another scene showed off a guy who worked as a show designer that worked in the Metaverse. He was also the type of person who uses driving to get his mind clear and come up with unique ideas. What was interesting about his drive was the Hyundai's use of dual color ambient lighting. Not only are these lights capable of further interior customization with its 64 color spectrum, but it was also capable of "Speed Sync Lighting," which would change the brightness of the first row ambient lights depending on the speed of the Ioniq 6. The faster he drove, the brighter the lights became and the slower, the dimmer. Hyundai claims that this adds some emotion to the driving experience.Power EverywhereThe final example was a woman who ran a livestream on the topic of shows and events in the Metaverse. Just a warning, that's not the last time you're going to hear about the Metaverse in this article. Anyhow, the features she used were related to the center console and the multiple power outlets within the Ioniq 6's cabin. For power, you'll get no less than four USB Type-C ports (two up front and two for the rear passengers) and a single USB Type-A port.The front passengers also get wireless charging in the front center console area. You'll also get power outlets under the back row seat for laptop, phone, and other device charging with a 12 volt port down in the bin under the center console and a 120 volt outlet below the rear seat in the center. If you want to use your laptop inside, as our livestreamer did, the Ioniq 6's center console is also helping to redefine the work space. It's able to fit a standard laptop on the front center console without any need for special trays or transformations. The only issue is that is also where the window controls are for the front passengers, but it does at least have a huge space under it for storage thanks to its very flat floor.Unfortunately, the rear passengers are going to need to be a little bit on the short side. While they get "tons" of rear leg and shoulder room, the headroom is just enough. "Long torsos beware," said one editor, "my hair was touching the ceiling." This is inherent to the body design for its aerodynamic shape. It also cuts into the cargo room, of which the trunk is very deep back to front and lift over height is pretty low, but it's not very tall, you'd have to lay down large suitcases flat and not on their taller edges.The good news but bad news is that there is no spare tire, but that allows for a little bit of hidden storage under the trunk floor. The trunk lid is also powered on the upscaled trims. Another issue is the way the 60/40 split rear seats fold down. Rather than have releases on the seats so they can be reached from the cabin, the only releases are located in the trunk. You also get a two-tier storage in the "frunk," but due to its design for aerodynamics, the frunk space is smaller than the Ioniq 5. Fortunately, you do get extra pockets in the rear doors just in front of the speakers and the glovebox opens like a drawer, which should allow for a much deeper storage area there.The Ioniq 6 is also the latest Hyundai EV to allow its owner to use the vehicle as a large, mobile generator. Just like the Ioniq 5, the 6 has vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality and allows its owners to charge devices using an adaptor from Hyundai that plugs into the vehicle charging port. This allows Ioniq 6 users to charge devices when the power's out (hello, Texas), camping, or when just when you're doing outdoor stuff like tailgating at a sporting event.The infotainment system will be able to work with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a multiple Bluetooth connection can allow two devices to connect to the Ioniq 6 at the same time. This allows you to have one phone used for calls and the other used for music streaming, for example. That music will come out of a Bose sound system with eight speakers that includes a subwoofer. Navigation is enhanced by the Ioniq 6's connected car services that helps you find chargers and plans your best route depending on its charge state. Finally, if you need to remind yourself of an idea or note, the Ioniq 6 has a voice memo feature so you can recall that in your own voice.Color It ImpressedFor the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6, there will be 12 colors available at launch that include Gravity Gold Matte, Abyss Black Pearl, Serenity White Pearl, Curated Silver Metallic, Noctume Gray Metallic, Noctume Gray Matte, Transmission Blue Pearl, Biophilic Blue Pearl, Ultimate Red Metallic, Digital Green Pearl, Digital Green Matte, and Byte Blue. Inside there will only be four color options: Dark Gray with light gray, dark olive green with light gray, black with pale brown, and black.There is another reason as to why they choose to go with this "Efficient Streamliner" design on the Ioniq 6. Hyundai's design language today is like a chess set rather than Russian nesting dolls. Each model is clearly related, but not same design on a differently sized vehicle. The idea is to design each vehicle to the target customer and their lifestyle and rather than body designs, details like the pixels carryover to each Ioniq to give some brand continuity.That pixel motif is also carried out where ever Hyundai could get away with it. It's in the lights, the fabric, and anywhere else it would work visually, even if it was just subtle. The other reason for the Ioniq 6 shape is that they already have an EV SUV in the works with the Ioniq 7, which we got a computer generated tease of during the press event. They really just didn't need another boxy, SUV-like vehicle.Remember That Metaverse Warning…2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Electric Car 11What's become common recently, despite the crashing state of cryptocurrency at the time of writing, is new cars getting NFTs. The Ioniq 6 is no different and there will be a tie-in NFT when it launches in 2023. You'd think that after the failure of the Corvette NFT manufacturers would stop this, but it appears they won't. Despite that, there are slightly more fun and interesting ideas within the whole metaverse systems out there that Hyundai participates in.There is the extended reality (XR) content called the Ioniq 6 Digital Studio. This allows users to experience a variety of interactive content related to the Ioniq 6 through their laptops, mobile devices, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) including the ability to use head mounted displays for both AR and VR. Quite possibly the oddest is the Roblox Hyundai Mobility Adventure tie in that exists in the Roblox metaverse. Yeah, we don't quite get that either, but there is Planet Hyundai on ZEPETO. Both experiences allow users to do virtual test drives and even experience the core features of the Ioniq 6.Hyundai closed by saying that the Ioniq 6 will begin production in the third quarter of 2022 for the world but U.S. production starts in January of 2023. Sales will then start in Q1 2023 for the North American market. Of course, that does all depend on how the supply chain is able to serve Hyundai by that point. As the saying goes, your mileage may vary, and your order might be built at a much later date.
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